A Prospective, Randomized Study: Switch Off the Sacral Nerve Stimulator During the Night?

Purpose

Sacral nerve stimulation is an effective treatment for fecal incontinence. Some have recommended to “switch off” the pacemaker during the night to extend the lifetime of the expensive pacemaker. This study was designed to investigate whether a nightly “switch off” affects the clinical results of sacral nerve stimulation.

Methods

Twenty patients successfully treated with sacral nerve stimulation (19 females; median age, 59 (range, 36–72) years) were randomized to: Group A, pacemaker continuously “on” for three weeks followed by three weeks with the pacemaker “off” during the night, or Group B, opposite order. Daily bowel-habit diary, Wexner, and St. Mark’s incontinence scores were obtained.

Results

One failed to return the daily bowel-habit diary, leaving 19 participating patients. Median Wexner incontinence score increased from 6 (range, 2–14) to 7 (range, 3–16) during the “off” period (P = 0.04), whereas St. Mark’s incontinence score increased from 10 (range, 3–16) to 11 (range, 3–18; P = 0.03). Median number of days with soiling per three weeks increased from 0 (range, 0–12) to 1 (range, 0–15) during the “off” period (P = 0.008). Seven of 19 had more days with soiling during the “off” period. Defecation frequency per three weeks increased from 26 (range, 11–71) to 34 (range, 9–70) during the “off” period (P = 0.19). Only four continued with a nightly “switch off” after the study.

Conclusions

It could be considered to recommend compliant patients to “switch off” the pacemaker during the night to extend the lifetime of the pacemaker. One-third experienced increased soiling, and they should turn the pacemaker on all day and night. Among the remaining, only a minor proportion will be motivated for turning the pacemaker off.